The Maryland Black Bears entered Friday’s contest against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings atop the East Division with a 7-1-1 record for 15 points. The Black Bears started strong against the Mountain Kings and never looked back, winning 4-1 for the team’s eighth win of the season. 

Maryland got off and running in the first period on a power play goal from forward Tanner Duncan, who slammed home a rebound past New Hampshire goalie Gavin Weeks for a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, the Black Bears struck again with forward Brayden Wade scoring on a wrist shot from the slot to make it 2-0. The Mountain Kings struck back on a wrist shot from forward Tanner Anctil to make it 2-1 before the first period ended. 

Duncan continued the scoring in the second period with a shorthanded goal, finding a bouncing puck in the crease off of a New Hampshire turnover and buried the puck five-hole for a 3-1 lead. Maryland defenseman Daniel Johnson scored less than 90 seconds later on a wrist shot from the point to make it 4-1. Black Bears’ goaltender Dom Gatto took it the rest of the way, making 19 saves en route to a 4-1 win. Weeks made 23 stops in the loss.

The Black Bears and Mountain Kings rematch on Saturday night at Piney Orchard Ice Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on NATV.